Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.

UTILITY

J & B Orchards - South

location

Franklin County, Washington

serves

63

source

Groundwater

data

2018-2023

Overview

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Washington State Department of Health, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (April 2024 - June 2024), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Contaminants Detected

Arsenic

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 2.80 ppb

700x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.004 ppb

Arsenic

Arsenic is a potent carcinogen and common contaminant in drinking water. Arsenic causes thousands of cases of cancer each year in the U.S. Click here to read more about arsenic.

Arsenic was found at 700 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.004 ppb or less

This Utility

2.8 ppb

Legal Limit

10 ppb

National Average

0.624 ppb

State Average

1 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.004 ppb for arsenic was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Nitrate

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 0.333 ppm

2.4x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.14 ppm

Nitrate

Nitrate, a fertilizer chemical, frequently contaminates drinking water due to agricultural and urban runoff, and discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks. Excessive nitrate in water can cause oxygen deprivation in infants and increase the risk of cancer. Click here to read more about nitrate.

Nitrate was found at 2.4 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.14 ppm or less

This Utility

0.333 ppm

Legal Limit

10 ppm

National Average

0.824 ppm

State Average

0.848 ppm

Health Risks

The EWG health guideline of 0.14 parts per million, or ppm, for nitrate and nitrite is based on the equivalent health guideline for nitrate, as defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG. This guideline represents a one-in-one-million annual cancer risk level.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppm = parts per million

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Radium, combined (-226 and -228)

Potential Effect: cancer

This Utility: 0.35 pCi/L

7x

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.05 pCi/L

Radium, combined (-226 and -228)

Radium is a radioactive element that causes bone cancer and other cancers. It can occur naturally in groundwater, and oil and gas extraction activities such as hydraulic fracturing can elevate concentrations.

Radium, combined (-226 and -228) was found at 7 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.05 pCi/L or less

This Utility

0.35 pCi/L

Legal Limit

5 pCi/L

National Average

0.33 pCi/L

State Average

0.27 pCi/L

Health Risks

EWG applied the health guideline of 0.05 pCi/L, defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal for radium-226, to radium-226 and radium-228 combined. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2018-2023.

pCi/L = picocuries per liter

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Includes chemicals detected in 2021-2023 for which annual utility averages exceeded an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; radiological contaminants detected between 2018 and 2023.

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene

This Utility: 0.0833 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 5 ppb

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene is an industrial solvent that can harm the adrenal glands and may increase the risk of cancer.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

5 ppb or less

This Utility

0.0833 ppb

Legal Limit

70 ppb

National Average

0.000338 ppb

State Average

0.000015 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 5 ppb for 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against hormone disruption.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Barium

This Utility: 45.0 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 700 ppb

Barium

Barium is a mineral present in rocks, soil and water. High concentrations of barium in drinking water increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

700 ppb or less

This Utility

45 ppb

Legal Limit

2,000 ppb

National Average

39.5 ppb

State Average

9.6 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 700 ppb for barium was defined by EWG as benchmark that protects against harm to the kidneys and the cardiovascular system.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Fluoride

This Utility: 0.500 ppm

No EWG Health Guideline

Fluoride

Fluoride occurs naturally in surface and groundwater and is also added to drinking water by many water systems to prevent cavities and support oral health in people.

In 2015, the Department of Health and Human Services updated its recommendation of an optimal level of 0.7 parts per million, or ppm, added to drinking water based on the health benefits of tooth decay prevention. Studies have shown that fluoride added to community water systems at this level reduces dental cavities, especially in children.

And studies have conclusively shown that fluoride in toothpaste and mouthwash can also provide these benefits.

How your levels compare

This Utility

0.5 ppm

Legal Limit

4 ppm

National Average

0.49 ppm

State Average

0.243 ppm

EWG Health Guideline

Not yet determined

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppm = parts per million

Pollution Sources

Industry

Treatment Byproducts

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Manganese

This Utility: 43.0 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 100 ppb

Manganese

Manganese is a naturally occurring element that is common in food and drinking water. Excessive manganese exposures may impair children's attention, memory and intellectual capacity. Click here to read more about manganese.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

100 ppb or less

This Utility

43 ppb

National Average

8.66 ppb

State Average

11.2 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 100 ppb for manganese was defined by the state of Minnesota as a health risk limit, the concentration of a contaminant that can be consumed with little or no risk to health. This health guideline protects against harm to the brain and nervous system.

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Ion Exchange

Mercury (inorganic)

This Utility: 0.120 ppb

EWG's Health Guideline: 1.2 ppb

Mercury (inorganic)

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that also damages the kidneys and other internal organs. Mercury enters drinking water from industrial pollution, mining wastes and coal-fired power plants.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

1.2 ppb or less

This Utility

0.12 ppb

Legal Limit

2 ppb

National Average

0.00244 ppb

State Average

0.0011 ppb

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 1.2 ppb for mercury (inorganic) was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against harm to internal organs.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Naphthalene

This Utility: 0.115 ppb

No EWG Health Guideline

Naphthalene

Naphthalene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, or PAH, released from combustion of fossil fuels and waste incinerators, and also used as a moth repellent. PAHs increase the risk of cancer; damage the immune, nervous and reproductive systems; and can harm developing fetuses.

How your levels compare

This Utility

0.115 ppb

National Average

0.00121 ppb

State Average

0.00169 ppb

EWG Health Guideline

Not yet determined

Legal Limit

None

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2021-2023.

ppb = parts per billion

Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Uranium

This Utility: 0.29 pCi/L

EWG's Health Guideline: 0.43 pCi/L

Uranium

Uranium is a known human carcinogen. The federal legal limit for uranium is set at 30 micrograms per liter (corresponding to parts per billion), but utilities can also report uranium in picocuries per liter (pCi/L), which is a measure of radioactivity in water. EWG translated all uranium results to pCi/L using a conversion factor developed by the EPA. With this conversion approach, the limit of 30 ppb corresponds to 20 pCi/L. Drinking water with this much uranium would cause more than 4.6 cancer cases in a population of 100,000. California set a public health goal for uranium of 0.43 pCi/L.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

0.43 pCi/L or less

This Utility

0.29 pCi/L

Legal Limit

20 pCi/L

National Average

1.03 pCi/L

State Average

0.5 pCi/L

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.43 pCi/L for uranium was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. Three most common uranium isotopes are U-234, U-235 and U-238. All isotopes of uranium are radioactive, and the total radioactivity depends on the ratio of isotopes. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Understanding the Data

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2018-2023.

pCi/L = picocuries per liter

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Includes chemicals detected in 2021-2023 for which annual utility averages were lower than an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority.

Other Contaminants Tested

Chemicals tested for but not detected:

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,1-Dichloropropene, 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3-Trichloropropane, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, 1,3-Dichloropropane, 1,3-Dichloropropene, 2,2-Dichloropropane, 2,4,5-T, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, 4,4'-dde, Acenaphthene, Acenaphthylene, Acifluorfen (Blazer), Alachlor (Lasso), Aldrin, Anthracene, Antimony, Asbestos, Atrazine, Bentazon (Basagran), Benzene, Benzoic acid, Benzo[a]anthracene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[g,h,i]perylene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Beryllium, Bromacil, Bromobenzene, Bromochloromethane, Bromodichloromethane, Bromoform, Bromomethane, Butachlor, Butyl benzyl phthalate, Cadmium, Carbon tetrachloride, Chloramben, Chlordane, Chloroethane, Chloroform, Chloromethane, Chromium (total), Chrysene, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, cis-1,3-Dichloropropene, Cyanazine (Bladex), Cyanide, Dalapon, Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Di-n-butyl phthalate, Diazinon (Spectracide), Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, Dibromochloromethane, Dibromomethane, Dicamba, Dichlorodifluoromethane, Dichloromethane (methylene chloride), Dichlorprop, Dieldrin, Diethyl phthalate, Dimethyl phthalate, Dinoseb, Endrin, EPTC (Eptam), Ethylbenzene, Ethylene dibromide, Fluorene, Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Hexachlorobutadiene, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, Isopropylbenzene, Lindane, m-Dichlorobenzene, Malathion, Methoxychlor, Metolachlor, Metribuzin, Molinate, Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene), n-Butylbenzene, n-Propylbenzene, Nitrate & nitrite, Nitrite, o-Chlorotoluene, o-Dichlorobenzene, p-Chlorotoluene, p-Dichlorobenzene, p-Isopropyltoluene, Para-para DDT, Pentachlorophenol, Phenanthrene, Picloram, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Prometon, Propachlor, Pyrene, sec-Butylbenzene, Selenium, Silver, Simazine, Styrene, Terbacil, tert-Butylbenzene, Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), Thallium, Toluene, Toxaphene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, trans-1,3-Dichloropropene, Trichloroethylene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Trifluralin, Vinyl chloride, Xylenes (total)

Find A Filter

Utility: 

J & B Orchards - South
view utility

Carbon Filters

FILTERS 0 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+3 others)

Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.

pros

  • Lower upfront cost
  • Reduced maintenance

cons

  • Does not remove all contaminants

Reverse Osmosis

FILTERS 3 contaminants exceeding guidelines (+6 others)

Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.

pros

  • Most effective

cons

  • Higher upfront cost
  • Requires more maintenance
  • Wastes water

Other Considerations

Ion Exchange

Pros: Softens hard water, Reduces some contaminants

Cons: Doesn’t remove all contaminants

Whole-House Filters

Pros: Useful for reducing radiologicals and TCE

Cons: Expensive to install and maintain, Risk of bacterial contamination

Distillation

Pros: Removes heavy metals and harmful microbes

Cons: Does not reduce most contaminants

Explore filter options for each contaminant. See which technologies are effective at reducing specific contaminants to help you make an informed decision on the best water treatment solution for your needs.

CONTAMINANTS ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES activated carbon reverse osmosis ion exchange
Arsenic
Nitrate
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)
OTHER CONTAMINANTS DETECTED activated carbon reverse osmosis ion exchange
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
Barium
Fluoride
Manganese
Mercury (inorganic)
Naphthalene
Uranium, combined (pCi/L)